Students Broaden Horizons at District-
Sponsored Summer Programs
The Northwest Arctic Borough School District sent more than sixty students on educational adventures this summer, where they piloted airplanes, conquered a ropes course, and learned about Alaska’s natural heritage. Away from their friends, family, and usual daily life, the young men and women were encouraged to recognize how little really limits what they can accomplish.
Thirty-three students from around the school district flew, climbed and snorkeled to new heights and depths at the Reach For Tomorrow summer program from July 7 to 15. In one week in sunny San Diego, students tackled one challenge after another, including taking the controls of an aircraft; assembling electrical components to make light-up pins; suiting up for a snorkel in the Pacific Ocean; and learning CPR. The NWABSD students brought great enthusiasm to these challenges. All 33 took a shot at the ropes course, and all but one made it to the top of the daunting tower.
“It was a good learning experience. A lot of the kids had never gotten out of Kotzebue before,” said chaperone Byrd Carter, who also works at the District Office. “Some of the kids were just freaking out when the jet took off,” she said, “but there was no time to be homesick – we were having too much fun.”
“The kids just had a ball,” said chaperone and Kotzebue Middle/High School Asst. Principal Dave Mason. “They were out there learning karate, and out there hip-hop dancing.”
Reach For Tomorrow is a Virginia-based organization whose mission is to This year marked the first year of partnership between NWABSD and Reach For Tomorrow, a Virginia-based organization which works with schools and other groups around the country “to improve the three A's of academics - Attitude, Attendance, Achievement - in rising high school youth and to increase the size of the qualified applicant pool for competitive colleges, universities, and professional careers,” according to their website, www.reachfortomorrow.org. With long-term success as its goal for students, the RFT program begins with the summer week to introduce students to early success in new areas. From there, speakers and mentors from the summer program will follow up with students through their academic careers to keep up them motivated and focused on success in school.
Thirty-one students from Kotzebue, Buckland, Deering, Kiana, Kivalina and Noatak flew to NWABSD Summer Academy at Sheldon Jackson College in Sitka. From May 25 to June 15, they explored the waterways and forests in one of Alaska’s most scenic settings. Students, led by NWABSD teachers and staff, learned about bald eagles at the Alaska Raptor Center, and worked closely with local National Park Service rangers. Students also took a guided tour of the Southeast Alaska Indian Cultural Center. While there was plenty of time for swimming class and sports, students earned their rest and relaxation with hard work in math, science and computer classes.
All 31 students completed at least one level of water-safety certification, and 10 students even completed two courses. “They did so awesome with the water safety courses,” said chaperone and district employee Jeni Mason, “and that’s a major skill to have in Kotzebue.”
“I think it was an honor for this group [to attend the Academy], they were truly appreciative of it,” Jeni Mason said.
Kotzebue Middle/High School teacher and Summer Academy chaperone Mike Lane agreed, that the trip had a major impact on the students who attended Summer Academy. “Introducing kids to the diversity of culture, and the natural world, was such a big deal. A lot of the kids couldn’t believe all there was to do there.”
2005 is the second year NWABSD has held Summer Academy in Sitka. It is the first year NWABSD has partnered with Reach For Tomorrow. Funding from two major grants to the school district, GEAR UP and Project ARES, paid for costs for the two programs, including student transportation and tuition.
